CD Reviews

SHE STILL A THRILL!

S. Quinto | Guatemala, Guatemala | 02/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jody Watley's debut album was one of the albums of the late 80's that was crowded with winning singles material, more than todays only 2 or 3 promotiosn, this album carried 5 singles. The vibe that Jody had in the beginning was something new, R&B-funky with great meaningful lyrics, that with set the trend to people like Paula Abdul or Pebbles, Jody's album is full of love agains hated love, great album to listen from beginning to the end, 1987 saw the born of a true R&B star that later in the years will be underrated, but besides that this album got Jody the Grammy For Best New Artist, all the singles are now classic songs that you can hear them everywhere specially the infectuos "Looking For A New Love", this album is a must have to any classic albums collection."

1988's Best New Artist Debut

Aaron | Ohio, USA | 03/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, let me just say that it's ridiculous that this album is out of print. Jody Watley was huge in the late 80's and even into the early 90's with a string of dance pop hits, but now, it seems that she's been completely forgotten which is a huge injustice. This being her platinum debut brought her onto the pop scene with her huge hit "Looking For A New Love" which hit #2 on the pop charts in 1987. Other top 10 hits followed including "Some Kind of Lover" and "Don't You Want Me." My favorite Jody Watley song is included on here also being the catchy and melodic "Most of All" which really shows off her beautiful voice. "Still A Thrill" is another highlight. It almost sounds like a different singer all together with jody singing in a deep, sultry voice. There's even a duet "Learn To Say No" with George Michael who was just about to take off himself with his solo career.I can't help but notice that almost all of Jody's albums are out of print including her successful sophomore album "Larger Than Life" which would yield her several more hits and her "Greatest Hits" which is ridiculous. It's virtually impossible for newer music fans to experience her awesome dance pop. I think her record company needs to get on the ball. Buy this even if it used."

R&B dance classic for the 80's

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 07/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vocally, while Jody Watley was no Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey, this former member of Shalamar did hold her own, at least on her first two albums with some dance-soul music. And with a slender and slinky bod and that mane of hair cascading down her back, she had some style as well. Her debut single, "Looking For A New Love," mixes funky beats with keyboards set to a steady beat, as well as some male grunts keeping time with the beat. It stalled at #2 for four weeks, kept out by Cutting Crew's "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" and U2's "With or Without You." It did peak on the R&B charts, staying there for 3 weeks. The extended club mix here

While her second single, "Still A Thrill," only made it to #56, it showcases Watley's lower registers, smoky and sensuous, with a funky bass and a Prince-like guitar, kind of like in "U Got The Look," to match that tone. The Prince-like sound is due to majority of the songs here, including this one, being co-produced by Andre Cymone, who was Prince's boyhood friend and first bassist through the Dirty Mind album. With the exception of the sax, Cymone seems to have inherited Prince's penchant for doing all the instruments per the For You album.

The versions of "Don't You Want Me" and "Some Kind of Lover," which respectively went to #6 and #10, are not the radio mixes, which didn't sit with me well. Personally, I preferred the original album versions here. There's some similarity to some of Madonna's early singles in the former, its pronounced bass an asset. The other single has a snap and danceable bite similar to "Into The Groove."

The final single, "Most of All," got to #60. This song was produced by Patrick Leonard, who was behind Madonna's True Blue album and did some production on the Dream Academy's Remembrance Days. This may explain why again it has a Madonna-like sound. An upbeat and danceable number that should've gotten Top Twenty at least.

Of the other songs, "Love Injection," like "Don't You Want Me," was produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic, with fellow Chic alumnus and Power Station member Tony Thompson on drums. Mid-paced, but with pronounced bass and some synths. And the perky "For The Girls" with its horn-like synths

And the bouncy funk of "Learn to Say No," her duet with George Michael, has a singleworthy quality, Watley's vocals nicely complementing Michael's when they trade lines in the bridge.

Jody Watley won Best New Artist at the Grammies as a result of this album. A consistent danceable sound permeates throughout this album, which makes it one of my favourite R&B/dance albums from the 80's. There's nothing filler here. All the songs could've been singles be it on the pop, R&B, or dance charts. Her sophomore album would sport similar sounds, but this time, a ballad. And so, per "Looking For A New Love," hasta la vista baby."

When "SINGLES" really mattered!!

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 10/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Back in the day" artists released albums chocked full of potential hit singles and Watley's debut has no less than six that topped the charts in the late 80's. Tell me a performer today, other than Madonna and Janet Jackson, which can boast the same."

Needs more credit

Daniel J. Hamlow | 12/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"she was like another janet jackson in many ways and even worked with prince proteges on this album. The hit singles are masterpieces and so were the songs on her sophomore album I remember real love being all over the place. Her first 2 albums are just as great as janet's control and rhythm nation."